Italy - Well, We're Off! - 5/15/2003
Hello all!
As is my tradition when I travel to interesting or exciting places, I've developed another "group list" to which to write every now and again, when the time proves itself, while stopping at a cyber cafe, etc. Those of you familiar with my trips to Africa, Nicaragua, and Thailand know this routine. If you're too busy at work, don't care, or otherwise just not in the mood to read these, I seriously am not offended -- delete away. For those who are bored, not busy at work, or are craving a vacation yourself, read on, and live vicariously!
This time, I'm off to Italy. Not as exotic, but certainly romantic. Unless, of course, you are traveling with your husband's parents and 4 other members of the family. We will get to sneak off and get some "alone time" (we have 2 nights in particular I'm looking forward sleeping literally a stone's throw from the Spanish Steps in Rome). But mostly, this is a trip to be with the family and meet other family that still live in the northern areas of Italy.
Both Paul's parents are from near Genoa. His father, Elio, is from Genoa and his mother, Mirella, from a tiny village in the mountains east of there called Rondanina. Paul equates it to one of the small towns you pass by as you blink in the fingers near Yosemite. Although both his parents met while living here in San Francisco, they still both have friends and family there.
So, here's the plan: arrive in Rome in the afternoon and take the train immediately to Florence, where we will stay the night and tour both days. Then we will again board the train and head to Deiva, a town in the Cinque Terre on the Italian Riviera (north). Paul's cousin has a house there and that is where we are meeting the rest of our group: Sylvia and Dave (Paul's older sister and her husband), Dave's sister and her husband, and of course, his parents. Eight of us total.
We will tour the Cinque Terra area in our little rented van (seats 9), visiting little towns along the coast and inland (like Lucca, Portofino, etc.) and then travel up north to where we've rented a family villa near Genoa. More local touring and perhaps a day of shopping in Milan. We will be as a group like this for almost 2 weeks. Then we all part ways again, and Paul and I head back for Rome. We spend about 3-4 days there before the long haul back.
I hope to come up with some interesting stories and anecdotal notes to share along the way. Until then, hope I've packed all necessary (got the passport and my toothbrush) and look forward to the beginning (well, perhaps not the flight, but...)
Ciao!
As is my tradition when I travel to interesting or exciting places, I've developed another "group list" to which to write every now and again, when the time proves itself, while stopping at a cyber cafe, etc. Those of you familiar with my trips to Africa, Nicaragua, and Thailand know this routine. If you're too busy at work, don't care, or otherwise just not in the mood to read these, I seriously am not offended -- delete away. For those who are bored, not busy at work, or are craving a vacation yourself, read on, and live vicariously!
This time, I'm off to Italy. Not as exotic, but certainly romantic. Unless, of course, you are traveling with your husband's parents and 4 other members of the family. We will get to sneak off and get some "alone time" (we have 2 nights in particular I'm looking forward sleeping literally a stone's throw from the Spanish Steps in Rome). But mostly, this is a trip to be with the family and meet other family that still live in the northern areas of Italy.
Both Paul's parents are from near Genoa. His father, Elio, is from Genoa and his mother, Mirella, from a tiny village in the mountains east of there called Rondanina. Paul equates it to one of the small towns you pass by as you blink in the fingers near Yosemite. Although both his parents met while living here in San Francisco, they still both have friends and family there.
So, here's the plan: arrive in Rome in the afternoon and take the train immediately to Florence, where we will stay the night and tour both days. Then we will again board the train and head to Deiva, a town in the Cinque Terre on the Italian Riviera (north). Paul's cousin has a house there and that is where we are meeting the rest of our group: Sylvia and Dave (Paul's older sister and her husband), Dave's sister and her husband, and of course, his parents. Eight of us total.
We will tour the Cinque Terra area in our little rented van (seats 9), visiting little towns along the coast and inland (like Lucca, Portofino, etc.) and then travel up north to where we've rented a family villa near Genoa. More local touring and perhaps a day of shopping in Milan. We will be as a group like this for almost 2 weeks. Then we all part ways again, and Paul and I head back for Rome. We spend about 3-4 days there before the long haul back.
I hope to come up with some interesting stories and anecdotal notes to share along the way. Until then, hope I've packed all necessary (got the passport and my toothbrush) and look forward to the beginning (well, perhaps not the flight, but...)
Ciao!
posted by Our Growing Family | 10:56 AM
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